Breakage is the alias of James Boyle, a UK drum and bass and dubstep DJ and producer from Slough, born in 1982. His work spans bassline, breakbeat, breaks, club, dance, drum and bass, jungle and related bass music styles.

Career

Breakage emerges on the drum and bass scene in 2000 with a remix of Nasty Habit’s Here Come the Drums on Reinforced. He follows this with a series of EPs for the same label and builds a reputation for detailed, percussive production that draws on jungle roots and breakbeat energy. He later releases material on Inperspective, Critical and Scientific Wax.

His remix of Equinox’s Acid Rain becomes a notable release in his early catalogue, reworking the Amen break in a way that helps define his approach. In 2006 he releases his debut album, This To Shall Pass, which includes slower-tempo tracks and receives strong critical attention.

Digital Soundboy and dubstep work

In 2007 he signs to Shy FX’s Digital Soundboy label. Releases such as Clarendon / Shroud show a move towards half-time rhythms, and he also reaches dubstep audiences with Callahan / Untitled. Earlier, he works with Shy FX on a remix of Benga and Coki’s Night.

In 2009 he releases Together, followed by Run Em Out featuring Roots Manuva and Higher, and then Hard featuring Newham Generals and David Rodigan. Hard becomes an underground favourite and receives strong radio support.

Albums, singles and collaborations

His second album, Foundation, appears in 2010 on Digital Soundboy. It features Skream, Burial, Roots Manuva, David Rodigan, Newham Generals and Donae'o among others, and is widely praised across both dubstep and drum and bass circles. In 2011 he releases Fighting Fire featuring Jess Mills, which reaches the UK singles chart and spends five weeks on BBC Radio 1’s A-list.

He also produces remixes for Massive Attack, Florence + The Machine, Plan B, Magnetic Man, Underworld, Claire Maguire, Benga, Loadstar and Ellie Goulding.

Reception

Breakage is associated with a wide range of bass music styles and is known for combining spacious mixes with low-frequency weight. His releases receive support from presenters and DJs including Zane Lowe, Pete Tong, Laurent Garnier, Benga, Annie Mac, Nick Grimshaw, Mista Jam and Rob Da Bank.

Labels and catalogue

Across his career he records for Reinforced, Inperspective, Critical, Scientific Wax and Digital Soundboy, and is associated with Index as a label credit. His work is often described through the movement between drum and bass and dubstep, with a strong connection to percussion-led dance music and jungle-influenced production.